Marcus Aurelius Meditations
Marcus Aurelius: Have I done anything charitably? then…
Have I done anything charitably? then am I benefited by it. See that this upon all occasions may present itself unto thy mind, and never cease to think of it. What is thy profession? to be good. And how should this be well brought to pass, but by certain theorems and doctrines; some Concerning the nature of the universe, and some Concerning the proper and particular constitution of man?
The passage follows a public-domain translation of Meditations. The reading beside it is ours.
Doing good is not a favor you grant the world from a position of superiority. It is one of the ways you make your own life better. When you help a colleague without keeping score, show patience with a difficult parent, or give credit away, you exercise the part of you that is most worth developing. That benefit cannot be taken back by an ungrateful response. Marcus's profession was goodness, not applause, wealth, or influence. Ours should be the same. But good intentions need training. We need a view of the larger world, which reminds us that we belong to one another, and a view of human nature, which reminds us that our choices are ours. Before the day ends, look for one useful act that requires no audience. The reward is already in the doing.
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